direct speech

direct speech (direkte tale): a way of rendering speech in writing, by quoting (or pretending to quote) someone's actual words. A sentence with direct speech generally contains a quotation (given in inverted commas) and a reporting clause (of the type he said, she asked, etc.). E.g. 'I hope you don't mind dogs,' said Natalie. 'I hope he doesn't leave hairs on your nice new seats.' 'My wife will hoover them up,' said Angus. He was lying. 'And I don't mind anything so long as it's to do with you.'